Media Releases

More than $1.5 billion will be available over four years to support Australia’s world-class university researchers following the introduction of new laws into Parliament today. Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2015 would guarantee $1,538.9 million for research programmes funded through the Australian Research…

I acknowledge and congratulate two teachers whose work has inspired generations of Australian school students to take an interest in science. Dr Ken Silburn of Casula High School in south-west Sydney was today named the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools. Mrs Rebecca Johnson of Windaroo State…

Families only have one more week to apply for the Australian Government’s new Nanny Pilot Programme. Meeting today with police officers at the North Sydney Police Station, the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said the pilot would help families who struggle to access child care because of where they live or the…

Australian students will help solve real-world problems to demonstrate the relevance of maths to their lives, communities and future careers, as part of a new project announced today by the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham. “The Australian Government will provide $6.4 million from the Mathematics by Inquiry initiative to support the Australian…

Seventy-six researchers will share in $43 million to support bold and innovative new ideas to not only tackle the impacts of dementia but to find ways of preventing and curing the debilitating disease. Minister for Health Sussan Ley and Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham announced the fellowships as part of the Coalition…

New Zealand citizens who have been long-term residents of Australia since childhood will be given access to the Australian student loans programme from 1 January 2016. Legislation to implement the measure will be introduced into the Australian Parliament next week. It honours Australia’s longstanding commitment to New Zealand, most recently confirmed at the 28 February…

Universities will be measured on how they are delivering students a quality experience, not filling out paperwork, under new higher education standards tabled in Parliament this week. Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said universities would have 12 months to comply with the new standards, which were developed by the Higher Education Standards…

Australian expertise and knowledge will be applied to assist India increase the skills of its workforce through international trainer and assessor courses mapped to Indian standards. Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham tonight told the Australia India Business Council that the first of three pilot courses—a collaboration between Kangan Institute and Indian training…

Nurses, farmers, police, emergency service employees and other parents who are struggling to match their work hours with conventional childcare options are invited to participate in the Australian Government’s new Nanny Pilot Programme from early 2016. Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said the pilot will provide subsidised care for about 10,000 children…

I thank the Prime Minister for the honour to serve as Australia's Minister for Education and Training. Australia enjoys one of the best education and training systems in the world and it is an enormous privilege to continue the government's work to make our great system even better. Since December last year I have greatly…